# follow the money

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/follow-the-money
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To analyze money flows in order to uncover corruption or other criminal activities.

## Examples

- If you want to find the truth, follow the money.
- The reporter suspected the company was hiding something, so she decided to follow the money to see where the funds actually went.
- To expose the intricate web of corruption within the organization, the investigators realized they had to follow the money through every shell company and offshore account.

## Origin

Popularized in the film All the President's Men (1976).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.